Danish Fashion Industry obtains Ethical Charter
Danish Fashion Institute (DAFI) and the Danish Organization Against Eating Disorders and Self-Mutilation (LMS) introduce an ethical charter to secure the well being of Danish models, as well as affect the opinions of the trade, the media, and society in general.
“Lately, there has been debate on the role of the fashion industry with regard to the occurrence of eating disorders and very slim models”, says DAFI manager Eva Kruse about the surprising co-operation with LMS, and she adds: “The body ideals of magazines, movies, music videos and within the sphere of elitist sports have an influence on younger people’s self-image.
If the fashion industry can help preventing risk behaviour toward eating disorders, we would like to contribute.” It is quite unique for a trade organization and patient organization to join forces in finding a solution. Other countries have seen fashion shows setting BMI limits, whereas Denmark stands alone with this kind of co-operation.
The charter was the focus of attention for the first time during the 2007 fashion week, when DAFI, a network organization that brings together different Danish fashion companies, along with LMS started working to influence the beauty ideal of today. “It is not a problem for women of strong self-confidence to withstand fashion ideals”, says LMS-chairman Anne Minor Christensen, and she continues: “but women’s self-confidence, in general, is diminishing.